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Eight Elephants Hostel, ShiDa
in Taipei, Taiwan
8 Elephants Hostel
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 You'll probably be arriving from Taoyuan International Airport (formerly called Chiang Kai-Shek or C.K.S. Airport). You could take a taxi directly to the hostel, but it's cheaper to take the bus and MRT. MRT stands for Mass Rapid Transit, which is what the Taiwanese call their metro/tube/subway system. It's a 40 minute bus ride from the airport to central Taipei, then a quick three stops to come down to Guting Station which will place you within three minutes' walking distance of the hostel. Read below for detailed directions.

Whichever way you choose to travel, it is important that you call ahead to check availability and to ensure that someone is around to let you in. Please either reserve online, call or email before your come to give us your arrival time. Keep us updated on any changes or delays in your schedule. We speak English and Chinese.

Please note:
  1. Eight Elephants is like a home stay place, hosted by some young people. Our small size prevents us from being able to provide a fixed, 24-7 reception, so we strongly recommend that you contact us in advance.
  2. If your actual arrival time is different from the arrival time written on your on-line reservation, please email us with the correct information.
  3. If you have any trouble finding your way here, call us with a payphone. We are always happy to help you. Coin-operated payphones can be located at the bus station in the airport, Taipei Main Station and at the north end of Guting Station.

By Taxi

Chinese Directions for Taxi DriversIf coming from the airport directly by taxi, be sure to first call us from the airport to tell us when to expect you

Most taxi drivers do not speak English, so be certain to have a printout of the Chinese address and directions with you. Give the driver the printout of this page, including the hostel address in Chinese. The trip should cost about 1300 Taiwan dollars (US $40), compared to the 150 Taiwan dollars the bus and MRT costs.

From Taoyuan International Airport to Guting Station

You buy bus tickets before boarding at ticket counters, which are located in the Arrival Passenger Reception Areas of both Terminals of the airport. Here you can also find free travel info and maps. The attendants speak English and can help you buy a bus ticket for either Taipei Main Station or to Minchuan West Road MRT Station, which costs about 130 Taiwan dollars (US $5).

Note: MRT Station (short for Mass Rapid Transit Station) = Metro/Subway/Tube Station

The MRT is closed from 12:00 midnight to 6:00 AM, so if you arrive on a late flight, take a taxi the rest of the way to the hostel (about 130 Taiwan Dollars, metered). Don't worry about figuring out  the MRT. Everything is easy to understand and with English translations.

If you took the bus to Taipei Main Station, Guting Station is only three stops south on the Red Line. If you took the Minchuan West Road bus, it's six stops. Buy your MRT ticket from a machine (20 NTD) which lets you through the turnstile. Retrieve your ticket after you pass through--you'll need it for when you exit the MRT at Guting Station. Board a train heading towards Nanshijiao or Xindian, which both pass through Guting.

From Guting MRT Station to Eight Elephants

Map - Guting Station to Eight Elephants

When you arrive at Guting Station, head to Exit 2. You may want to orient yourself using one of the large wall maps in the station. Exit 2 has an escalator, but if you have very heavy luggage, use the elevator at nearby Exit 1. From here, it's only a three minute walk to our home!
  1. When you come out of Exit 2, turn 180 degrees and you'll see TongAn Street at the back of the exit. Turn left into this street. (You'll be able to see a brown sign for SoEasy Craft World and a 7-11 when you look down TongAn.)
  2. Walk down TongAn St., and after two blocks, you will reach Jin-Jiang St. (which is at the second intersection you meet on Tong-An St.) Please turn LEFT into Jin-Jiang Street. (there is a big green recycling bin under the street lamp and a electronic scrolling sign with orange running words at the two corners of this side of Jin-Jiang St.)
  3. Walk down Jin-Jiang St., and turn RIGHT at the first intersection (this is Lane 46 of Jin-Jiang St.)
  4. Walking down Lane 46 of Jin-Jiang St., you will see a tiny parking lot on your right. Once you reach the end of this parking lot, turn LEFT.
  5. Walk past the underground parking lot entrance and our door is the first one once you reach the narrow section of the alley. There is a little FLAG of TAIWAN hung at the door. Just ring the bell marked "EE".